Nila Ree Dodson

Nila Ree “Grandma”Dodson, 86, of Van Buren, passed away Sunday, April 2, 2017 in Fort Smith. She was born December 22, 1930 in Van Buren to the late Earl and Agnes Holloway. She was a homemaker and caregiver, and a member of the First Baptist Church in Van Buren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Joe Dodson, and a sister, Melba Jean Crawford.

Nila was the wife of a military man and traveled all over the world, but her heart was always with her family in Van Buren. After her husband passed in 1992, she moved back to Van Buren from Grand Prairie, TX. She became one of the most beloved door greeters at First Baptist Van Buren. She always greeted you with a smile and always wanted her “hug” from whomever would give her one. She was known throughout her church and community as just “Grandma”, and most people knew who you were talking about when you mentioned “Grandma”.

She loved her church and her family dearly. Her three grandsons were her pride and joy, until the great-grandchildren came along, then they all became her pride and joy. She loved to go fishing and she loved to talk. She never met a stranger.

Her smile will be missed by all, but she is with her Lord and Savior, and the cancer she was diagnosed with over two years ago has been healed. Nila is now in heaven and talking to whomever will listen.

She is survived by a son, Bill Dodson and wife Susan of Van Buren; two sisters, Ernie Lee of Victorville, CA, and Kay Young and husband Johnny of Alma; three grandchildren, Dallas Dodson and wife Laura of Coppell, TX, Matthew Dodson and wife Lindsay of Van Buren, and Parker Dodson of Fayetteville; three great-grandchildren, Austin Dodson, Ella Dodson, and Stella Dodson; and three nephews, Johnny Young and wife Jodie, Shawn Young and wife Robyn, and Kevin Young.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 6, 2017 at the First Baptist Chapel in Van Buren with interment to follow at Gracelawn Cemetery, under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren, AR.

Pallbearers will be Dallas Dodson, Matthew Dodson, Parker Dodson, Johnny Young, Shawn Young, Spencer Young, and Chase Young. Honorary pallbearers will be Kevin Young and Steve Gann.

The family will visit with friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, 2017, at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home, 4100 Alma Highway, Van Buren, AR.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the many special friends, especially Shirley Intres, that helped her though the last two years, her Adult 6 Sunday School Class, her ministers that were always there for her, the Reynolds Cancer Support House, the great care she received from all the people at Crawford Rehab, and the staff and nurses at Sparks hospital, including Dr. Varant Arzoumanian, and in her final days, nurse April Matheson.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, 1121 Main Street, Van Buren, 72956.